Sand Mandala

The Sand Mandala image and Tibetan chants on view were captured with a consumer camera at the Palace of the Governor in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2002.

This demonstration was part of a fund raising effort to support the continuation of the Drepung Loseling Buddhist Monatery in India.

Tibetan Buddhism is the religion of Tibet. It was formed in the 8th century AD from a combination of Buddhism originaly from India and the indigenous Tibetan religion. .

The Tibetan Culture is one of the most ancient of our planet and it is highly endangered as a result of the chinese communist invasion of their homeland in the 1950’s. Because of the destruction of their heritage and the genocidal chinese policies during the chinese colonization of Tibet, the Tibetans today live a fragile existence in the refugees camps of India.

Our generation could be the last to see their artistic culture in its full richness, integrity and splendor.

Over the past Decade, Tibetan Art has become a part of the western cultural landscape. Periodically the Dalai Lama and groups of Tibetan monks travel around the U.S and the world , conducting healing ceremonies, creating Sand Mandalas, and performing traditional music and dance to bring attention to the ongoing struggles of Tibetans people worldwide and for Tibetan independence.

Appreciating the Sand Mandala as a work of art, we are challenged to see beyond our own western definition of art, with values on innovation and self-expression.